Just Breathe - Lessons Learned on the Anniversary of 9/11

Just after 9:03 a.m. yesterday, I stifled a sob as I watched NBC's coverage of the anniversary of the September 11th tragedy. My family busied around me. At our cottage by the beach...our vacation timeshare...my mom and husband cooked breakfast.  My dad sipped coffee on the balcony.  My two sons raced circles around the kitchen island.  I was engrossed in this telecast straight from Ground Zero.

It hit deep in my soul when a 12-year-old sweet girl was telling her daddy that he was the best ever and will always be in her heart. This daddy left her world when she was just 2.  My boys are about that age. It was at that moment that I truly accepted what my husband had said to me just the night before.

After he had watched a 9/11 documentary, he came to bed and said to me, "We need to be so grateful. We have one another. We have healthy children. We have our lives."  Half asleep, I agreed...mostly wanting to be grateful for lots of sleep.

I often feel like I can be swept up in the challenges of life and that it's hard to find things to be grateful for.  The nights that I remember to thank God for what I have, I am blessed for my family, friends and our health.  I always find a way to go back to...but if I could just make a little more money...or if we could just sell that house...or whatever material wants I can think of a that moment.

Yet, I see it now.  So what if times are tough and the timing is off to sell our house.  We get to watch the joy in our sons' faces as they float on top of wave after salty wave as we vacation at the sea.  Sure, we wish we had a little extra cash so we can afford to redo our kitchen.  But we are able to enjoy a few nice dinners out with the family this week.  Yet again, another fantastic illustration of gratefulness bestowed....we are able to be with our kids, no matter how restless our 21-month-old gets when we go out to eat.  And sure, we hope and pray we can send our boys to the best schools.  But, right now, we are there with him the moment he figures out something challenging and that proud smile emerges on his little face. 



We are lucky.  We are blessed.

Through every tantrum, every cup of spilled crystal light on a clean floor, every exhausted 2am wake up call.  Every single moment you wish you could have just a little space to just breathe.  Just be so grateful for all that you have.  And breathe.

You can.

Breathe.

The Anti-Chicken Fingers Movement - Sante Fe Casserole Bake

Sunday 9/11/11  ~Sante Fe Casserole Bake



Okay...I say this dish is perfect for Sunday night football, or any other day of the week for fall.  It's a yummy mix between a casserole dish and nachos.  The hubby has always loved this meal...and the kiddos really enjoy it too.  Callie usually has two helpings, which is always a sign that it's a fav.

1- Pd lean ground beef
1- Pkg of Taco Seasoning
2-Cups of Chicken Broth
1/4- Cup of Flour or Cornstarch
1-Cup low fat Sour Cream
1- 7 oz can of diced green chiles
1- bag Whole Grain Tortilla chips (recipe does call for corn or regular tortilla)
2- Cups Monterey Jack or Cheddar Cheese
1/2-Cup Sliced green onions w/tops

In medium skillet, brown meat and stir until crumbly; drain fat.  Add taco seasonings, blend well.  in bowl, combine broth & flour.  Add to meat mixture, bring to a boil to slightly thicken liquid.  Stir in sour cream & chiles; blend well.  In 13x9x2 inch lightly greased baking dish, place 1/2 of chips, top with 1/2 of meat mixture, 1/2 of cheese & 1/2 of green onions.  Layer all remaining ingredients ending with green onions.  Bake uncovered at 375 for 20 minutes.

You can serve alone, with corn, black beans, or even spanish rice.

Enjoy~ and happy eating friends!!

Are We Seriously Already Having This Conversation?

One day I was getting ready to leave the house to go get my hair done.  My three-year-old says to me as I’m leaving: “Mommy, I want to go get my hair done too!”
  “Sweetie, someday you will be old enough to get your hair done.”
  “Mommy, when will I be old enough?”
  “Oh honey, you will be old enough before you know it!”
My little princess with beautiful, naturally sandy-brown hair replies, “Mommy, can I do purple?  Brown is so not my favorite.”

*Trina

The Anti-Chicken Fingers Movement - Rocky Mountain Enchiladas & Chili Rellenos

Rocky Mountain Enchiladas & Chili Rellenos

Please note: our rellenos busted open...but still delicioso!

This is one of those recipes that has been handed down only through experience.  My husband learned from his mother, watching her make this since he was about 8 yo; years later he taught me.  I finally took the time to write it down.  When Zac first made it for me, it was probably in our first month of dating.  I remember asking him for sour cream and he looked at me as if I had asked for ketchup for a steak dinner.  He explained that it simply didn’t need it.  That night I realized he was right, and ten years later I haven’t found the need to supplement this recipe.  You may, however. 

It’s a little bit of work, but once you get used to it, you get a system down.  Let me tell you, it is well worth it.  This meal is far more delicious than many enchilada/chili relleno meals I’ve had at some Mexican restaurants.  It is fried, but you know what’s going into it.  There really isn’t making the rellenos healthier, but I would imagine you’d do just fine without frying the tortillas for the enchiladas. 

Bon appetite!

J Leah

Rocky Mountain Enchiladas & Chili Rellenos

• 12 corn tortillas
• 20 oz. enchilada sauce (medium)
• 1 lb. ground beef
• Green onions
• 8 oz. cheddar cheese
• 4.25 oz. can whole green chiles
• 1 c. flour
• 1 egg
• 8 oz. Monterey Jack cheese
• Shortening

Directions

Heat oven to 350.  Spray cooking sheet with cooking spray.  Brown ground beef.  Chop scallions and add to ground beef.  In an 8” skillet, melt ½ - 1 cup of Crisco until it is about 1” deep.  On medium-high heat, fry each corn tortilla for about 15 seconds on each side until golden but still pliable enough to roll.  Place on a paper towel to absorb grease.   Shred cheese.  Take one tortilla, layer a spoonful of beef and sprinkle cheese on top of beef.  Roll tortilla tightly and place on baking sheet.  Chop green onions and reserve on side with remainder of shredded cheddar cheese.  Simmer enchilada sauce in small pot on stovetop.

While enchiladas are baking, slice Monterey Jack cheese into ½” slices.  Carefully take chiles out of can (they tear easily) and chop tip off of each chili.  Slide one slice of cheese into each chili.  In an 8” skillet, melt ½ - 1 cup of shortening until it is about 1” deep.  Beat one egg in a small bowl.  Pour flour in another.  Dip each chili in egg, then coat with flour.  Place in grease until fried golden, turning once to fry evenly.

Sprinkle enchiladas with green onions and shredded cheese; spoon enchilada sauce on top.  Serve with chili rellenos.

p.s. It makes for serious leftovers for your husband to take to work the following day (a.k.a. his coworkers will have yet another illustration of just how fabulous you really are!)

Magnetic Legs - The Ever-Clingy Toddler

My boys have left me on the couch to play with a truck or dunk a basketball.  I see my “out” and sneak four feet away to the computer which sits on our breakfast bar; I stand and type away.  Most of the time, not even 60 seconds goes by and my youngest toddler is poking me.  “Up, Mama!” 

   I give in and pick him up, thinking I can hold him on my hip like he were still 10 months old and he’ll be content.  No.  He wants to type or rather, bang on the keyboard.  Or press a button.  Or reach… reach for my Cherry Coke Zero.  Or feed the fish.  So down he goes, and runs off to chase his older brother.  I try to refocus on the task at hand.  Was I checking my bank statement or writing a post on Facebook?  I have seven open windows on my laptop and this is typical. 

   I feel a pinch on my butt.  He’s back.  Of course I can’t ever get anything done!  So I participate in a new trick that occupies him for a good two minutes.  I lift my right leg up in some sort of ballet pose and rest it on the arm of our toddlerized couch.  This allows my left leg to act as a pole upon which my little boy holds onto and circles around and around and around, thoroughly entertained.  Alright!  I finished an e-mail.  Score!  His older brother sees this fun from across the room and joins in. Before it ends with the two knocking heads, I’ve balanced my budget.  I’m excited I’m taking care of biz-niss!  This is the longest stretch of time I’ve had since last night when they went to bed. 

   My two-and-a-half year old is now tugging at my pants, the drawstring coming loose and the waist band is way past my behind. 

   My son laughs. “I see your bootie!”

   I pull them up and corral them into the living room for some dancing.  With Madonna or the Black Eyed Peas on the TV, we have fun, twirling and laughing.  They soon get distracted and move on to their Jeep.  I’m quick to take advantage and jump up to get some writing done. 

   As though my legs are some sort of magnetic force that neither of them can stay away from for too long, my oldest decides to use his latest technique to get my attention as he rams his whole body into my leg and pushes me like I’m a tackling sled on some football field (if this is the sport he ends up excelling in, I’ll retract my annoyance with it).  I hold onto the counter top with one hand, while I continue to use the mouse with my right.  I’m leaning in what I’m sure is some great yoga pose, before hearing him tell me he did something sweet to his brother and thus deserves candy as a treat – I made the mistake of giving him some M&Ms one day when I saw him unexpectedly share a toy with his little bro.  Since then, he’ll do something sweet and then come to me for his prize.  I look down at him and say, “I think what you did was really awesome, but you’re not going to get candy this time.”

    “No!” he shouts at me in the deepest voice he can muster at two-and-a-half.  He stomps off. 

   Just as I’m about to finish typing my sentence, my little man is right below me, both arms wrapped around my knee, “Jooss,” he says with adorable, needy eyes.  I decide to call it a day (at least until naptime) and grab his juice and join him and his brother in the living room for some snuggling and cartoons.

   This back and forth is what I used to do.  I finally figured out the best balance is when I focus on them for an extended period of time, then move on to my projects.  This gives me the chance to provide them with undivided attention and by the time we’re through, they are ready to play with just one another or at least on their own. 

The Anti-Chicken Fingers Movement - Creamy Meat & Potato Casserole

I just made this recipe and froze it for my brother and sister-in-law, who just came home from the hospital with a brand new baby girl (who is adorable might I add, and almost makes me want to start working on #3.  Almost).  My husband LOVES it because its potatoes and beef, and the kids love it because its creamy and cheesy.  The cream of celery is surprising...I always like something new that I rarely use.  There's always left overs for lunches, which at our house is a big deal.

Sunday 9/4/11 Recipe ~ Creamy Meat & Potato Casserole (Trina's version- I've changed it a few times)

Ingredients

• 1.25-pounds lean ground beef  (I usually get three pounds and use the remaining meat in another casserole or dish) 
• 3-cups peeled and thinly sliced potatoes (or enough to cover the bottom of the baking pan if you are measuring)
• 2-(10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of celery soup 
• 1- small onion chopped
• 1- cup of frozen corn
• 3/4-cup 2% milk or fat free 1/2 & 1/2
• 1/4- cup of water
• salt to taste, garlic powder or garlic salt
• freshly ground pepper, to taste
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (you can use any cheese you like, or light cheddar- cheddar's the best)
• 
  

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. In a medium skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef; drain fat.
3. In a medium mixing bowl, combine cream of celery soup, onion, corn, milk, water, salt and pepper
4. Alternately layer the potatoes, soup mixture and meat in a 11x7 inch (2 quart) baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until potatoes are tender. Top with Cheddar cheese, and continue baking until cheese is melted.

Happy Labor Day weekend & happy eating my friends!  Enjoy.

Has Your Doc Ever Tried To Smooch You?

This is how my doctor appointment went today…

This was my second official visit with this browned-haired Charleston-area doc.   Luckily, I didn’t have to disrobe or even put on a gown.  I thought it was strange that he laid me on the floor, though he did offer a pillow.  He proceeded to inspect my head, neck and arms.  A very kind soul, he kept rubbing my forehead and telling me it’d all be alright.  Honestly, I didn’t know anything was wrong.

“Does your penis hurt?” he asks.

“I don’t have a penis.  I’m a girl.”

“You do.  You have a little penis.”  He says, matter-of-factly.

“No, girls don’t have penises.”

“It’s okay,” he assures.  “You’ll feel better soon.  There’s a machine right here.”  He then covers me with a blanket and pulls it up under my chin.  He reaches across me to pull up the blanket, inadvertently choking me with his elbow several times. 

He instructs, “You need to cooperate.”  I thought I was.  Then I wondered where he learned that word.  Cooperate.

He gently touches my cheek.  “Awww.  You’ll feel better soon.  I’m a doctor.”  I’m holding back my hysterics now, with a few chuckles slipping out.

“Don’t cry, you will be okay.”  He kisses my cheek and then one eyelid, “I love you, mommy.  I’ll be your doctor everytime.”